TheDoctor WhoSymphonic Spectacular: what are you up to?

Thats the genesis of it all.

I think it was about 130,000 people.

But it wasnt universally well received.

I think it averaged a three out of five stars.

So what happened next?

And obviously the monsters!

The actors are generally filming, and they want to do other things when theyre not filmingDoctor Who.

To get them to do a tour event, their time is pretty limited.

So we learned the monsters are really important, the music is fabulous.

The Prom was a huge success, a non-commercial thing.

There were only a limited number of tickets, so most fans were disappointed.

And of course, youve got to be able to travel in the first place.

So we thought music tour?

Lets focus on that, rather than trying to do a live episode piece.

The other thing is that theDoctor WhoSymphonic Spectacular is its all aboutDoctor Who.

The Prom by necessity has not had new music.

Would that be a fair summation?

Its very much a commercial version of theDoctor WhoProm.

So its everything thats good about the Prom and the tour.

They did the last Prom.

How are the logistics then of taking a 100+ piece orchestra on a tour on the motorways of Britain?

I dont want to talk to you about it [laughs].

The total number of people going on the road is going to be around 160.

Im assuming you cant tell us who will be appearing, but can you tell us who wont be?

[Laughs] I can safely say that the current front-of-camera talent forDoctor Whowill not be appearing.

Because theyll all be filming in May next year!

It will be people who are associated with the show!

Someone who knows what the band is talking about.

And obviously, theres quite a pool to draw from!

Would you be looking to have one consistent host across the whole tour with theDoctor WhoSymphonic Spectacular?

There isnt enough time to rehearse to change host.

But here, theyre playing a different town every night, and theres no gap in between.

So its integrated quite quickly with the music fromDoctor Whoseries 8.

We obviously have to bring in the music from series 8 because its the new Doctor!

So well be making sure we use some of that.

The show that were staging here in the UK in May will be taken worldwide.

I think were in Adelaide in January, so obviously that one goes right down to the wire!

It has evolved, yes.

And each time weve done theDoctor WhoSymphonic Spectacular weve added new content.

Weve had to make difficult decisions about what goes in.

So we have to take things out and replace it with new material.

A bit like a director cutting a film.

Were going to have to lose some pieces that I really love!

Thats kind of whats exciting about this thought, that we can keep changing the content every year.

If they keep making it, and bringing new things in!

Whats your eight or nine coffee day then?

The day before the first show?

The day when the tickets go on sale?

Whats the bit that makes you hit the caffeine?

[Laughs] Well, the scary bit is just before curtain up.

We dont have curtains but you know what I mean!

They tell me that if you have a really good rehearsal, then its a bad thing!

Usually there are a lot of last minute problems before it comes together on the night!

Were not doing liveStar Trek Into Darknessor something like that where were playing live underneath the movie!

But we had video for this bit, and the screen went blank.

My heart was in my mouth!

Ah, but itsDoctor Who.

Wed all assume that was deliberate.

Is that the holding a lighter in the air moment forDoctor Who?

Then thankfully the system played out fine, and we got to half time.

At which point I went out and had a little bottle of beer!

Where for you after this then?

Appreciating youre not BBC Worldwide now, are you still looking to do moreDoctor Whostuff?

Do you have ties into BBC Worldwide that allow you to do other properties in such a way?

Were developing a number of shows, but weve got a lot invested in this one!

Were doing this one during half term in May 2015, and going around school holidays in the UK.

But there are other cities, and other international venues!

So anywhere where theres a local Travelodge with 160 rooms, basically?

[Laughs] Thats definitely a factor!

Phil Murphy, thank you very much.

For further information on the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, head towww.doctorwhosymphonicspectacular.com